Almost all of us have debt. We all want to get rid of that debt. The task of doing so can seem overwhelming, canít it? However, debt elimination really involves taking a lot of simple steps. Here are 25 basic steps to getting rid of your debt once and for all.

1. Track spending. You have to know where your money is going if you want to be in control of it.

2. Make a list of all of the debt owed. Include who you owe, what amount you owe, what interest rate youíre paying and what your monthly minimum payment is. Keep a physical copy of this list where you can see it.

3. Create a budget. Itís the only way to be responsible enough with your money to pay off debt.

4. Always spend less than you earn. Itís simple math; it frees up the money you need to pay off your debt.

5. Cut back to one credit card. And use it as little as possible. Accruing more debt is going to hinder your debt elimination plan.

6. Choose one debt and pay it off. Ideally, youíll pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first. However, you may also choose to pay off the smallest debt. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and provides momentum for sticking with your debt repayment plan.

7. Figure out if debt consolidation is an option for you. Can you transfer high-interest balances in to one low-interest loan?

8. Give up five costly things and use that money to pay off your debt. These donít have to be high-cost things. If you give up your cigarette habit, your Netflix subscription, your gym membership, your afternoon latte and your cab ride home at night then youíll have a lot of extra money going to pay down your debt every month.

9. Ask yourself what big expenses you can give up. Can you reduce your mortgage by renting out a room i your house? Can you go from a two-car family down to one car? Use any savings to pay off debt.

10. Talk to your kids about why debt is bad. It will remind you Ö and theyíll remind you too!

11. Make a list of all of the reasons you want to be debt-free. It will keep you on track.

12. Make long-term and short-term debt payment goals. Goals help you achieve what you want. Make sure that the goals are realistic.

13. Choose a debt elimination buddy. It may be a spouse, a friend or a family member who also has debt payment goals. Meet with this person once a week to discuss your goals and achievements. Keep each other on track.

14. Read books and blogs about debt elimination. This helps you to stay inspired.

15. Give up shopping for fun. Shop only for necessities until your debt is paid off.

16. Delay all purchases by one month. This helps to make sure that youíre only buying what you truly need. If you donít still need it a month after you wanted it then you never needed it at all.

18. Refuse to watch or read advertisements. They encourage you to buy things you donít need!

19. Create fun challenges for saving money. Get your creative self out and challenge her at every turn.

20. Put any extra money towards paying off the debt. Get a bonus at work or a surprise windfall from a relative who passes away? Immediately use it to pay off debt instead of doing anything else with it.

21. Refuse to keep up with the Joneses. Make it a way of life to NOT compare yourself to others financially or based on status symbols.

22. Make a written commitment to yourself to pay off your debt. You donít want to be wishy-washy about this process.

23. Make a verbal commitment to someone else about this goal. Let a spouse, a child or a good friend know that itís really important to you to pay off this debt. Telling someone else will help to hold you accountable to sticking with it.

24. Forgive yourself if you make a mistake. Debt plans can be like diets. Some people eat one piece of candy and decide that the diet isnít working so they quit trying all together. Others admit that theyíve made a mistake and recommit to the diet. Recommit to your debt and donít beat yourself up if you make a mistake in your repayment plan.

25. Deal with an underlying emotional issues that you have surrounding money. If you donít, youíll sabotage your debt elimination plan.